title: Methods for studying store-operated calcium entry.
abstract: Activation of surface membrane receptors coupled to phospholipase C results in the generation of cytoplasmic Ca2+ signals comprised of both intracellular Ca2+ release, and enhanced entry of Ca2+ across the plasma membrane. A primary mechanism for this Ca2+ entry process is attributed to store-operated Ca2+ entry, a process that is activated by depletion of Ca2+ ions from an intracellular store by inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate. Our understanding of the mechanisms underlying both Ca2+ release and store-operated Ca2+ entry have evolved from experimental approaches that include the use of fluorescent Ca2+ indicators and electrophysiological techniques. Pharmacological manipulation of this Ca2+ signaling process has been somewhat limited; but recent identification of key molecular players, STIM and Orai family proteins, has provided new approaches. Here we describe practical methods involving fluorescent Ca2+ indicators and electrophysiological approaches for dissecting the observed intracellular Ca2+ signal to reveal characteristics of store-operated Ca2+ entry, highlighting the advantages, and limitations, of these approaches.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Signal Transduction, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, P.O. Box 12233, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA. bird@niehs.nih.gov
authors.forename: Gary S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Bird
authors.forename: Wayne I
authors.initials: WI
authors.lastname: DeHaven
authors.forename: Jeremy T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Smyth
authors.forename: James W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Putney
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D015544:Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate / Q000378:metabolism*; D044169:Receptors, Calcium-Sensing / Q000378:metabolism; D053498:Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D015220:Calcium Channels; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D044169:Receptors, Calcium-Sensing; D015544:Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate; D053498:Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases; D002118:Calcium